Suffolk County Police promise community action after gang murders

CENTRAL ISLIP, Long Island (WABC) -- A community in Central Islip sieged by gang violence is looking for real answers from police.

They're tired of feeling scared.

They're tired of the drugs and violence destroying their neighborhood and are desperate for help.

Tuesday night the Suffolk County Police told them that they have a plan.

Families arrived at the Knights of Columbus Hall Tuesday night hoping to get some answers about the murders of four teenagers last week allegedly by gang members, and to learn if any arrests were imminent.

Vanessa lives a block from the park where the bodies were found.

"It's a little scary because my children, we went there the day before to play, so now my children can't play, they're small children," Vanessa said.

"We understand that these murders were tragic, we understand that the community is hurting and we stand with them, we hurt as well, and we'll stop at nothing to solve these murders," said Commissioner Timothy Sini, Suffolk County Police Department.

Police Commissioner Sini laid out a strategy that involved first just identifying gang members, using the FBI and federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) laws to put them in jail, and for the longer term, providing alternatives for young people.

"Summertime is coming, kids don't have to be idle, we're going to have to find something for them to do instead of being idle on the streets and being influenced by gang members who want to pull them in and increase their numbers," said Donald McCarthy, a resident.

So far, the murders of four young men remain unsolved and some are not confident the police can prevent it from happening again.

"I think they're all honest and earnest but, you know I'm kind of a law and order guy and. (at some point they have to do something?) Yes." Said David Miller, a resident.